my father

[Andreis]

I am an American citizen.My father was born in the village of Doniets,about 100 miles south of Kiev,in 1906,on one of 35 estates owned by Count Mucin Pushkin.My father's father was a caretaker of one of the estates.My father left the U.S.S.R. in 1923,returning for a visit in the 1970's I will try to come to the area of my father's birth some day,but I'll probably never make it.Interesting story?

[Irena]

I am an Ukraine citizen.
My father was born in the ukrainian village in a peasant's family.
My father's father was a peasant as well. My father left Ukraine once returning for a permanent address.
Every year I come to the area of my father's birth, but I'll probably never see Paris, Amsterdam, even Praga...
Is it an interesting story for anyone?

[Stephen_Bailey]

Irena,

Of course it IS an interesting story, but, I thought you were more optimistic than that.

Do you REALLY think you'll never see Paris or Amsterdam??
I'm sure you will, one day.

Look. Ten years ago Ukraine was part of USSR. Could you have imagined (then) that the USSR would fall apart, peacefully???

Just think about the future. I'm sure in another ten years Ukraine will be a BIG part of the E.U. and if Ukrainian people choose not to visit Paris or Amsterdam it will only be because Kiev or ( ) Kharkov are every bit as prosperous.

Dreams only come true if enough people believe in them.

Oh, by the way - on January 6th I was robbed at Kiev railway station, BY A POLICEMAN !!!!!!!! Mr Kuchma's "secret police" got my money back - but I still have confidence in GOOD future for Ukraine and Ukrainian people !!

Regards. S.B.

[Irena]

Stephen...
thank you for your comforting words, but
I can't imagine how are you going to live with Ulrainian girl.
There was simply... well... ЁПНМХЪ.
ю ЁПНМЁЪ - ЖЕ МЕ ЯОПЮБФМ╨ ФЮКЙСБЮММЪ.
Understand?

[Stephen_Bailey]

Irena, Hello !!

Sorry, I don't understand all that &^%$ё()@?~_)(*

What does it mean ???????

Seriously. I can (and will) live happily with Marina. She's my "Kotyonok". I took a big "risk" (I mean, trusting her and this "Agency"), but it was worth it !!
All 'cultural differences' will be over-come.

My E-mail's stephen.b@russia.com
I think our photographs (of us together) prove everything.

I'm sure that, one day, E.U. & Ukraine will have similar "alliance".

Regards.

S.B.